Sending flowers is a timeless way to brighten someone’s day, express sentiments, or commemorate special occasions. With busy schedules and loved ones often living far apart, online flower delivery services have become a popular option for convenient, fast flower ordering and delivery.
Two of the biggest names in the online flower industry are Teleflora and 1-800-Flowers. Both offer national flower delivery through local florist networks, as well as same-day delivery options. But which one is better for your flower gifting needs?
Here is an in-depth comparison of Teleflora and 1800Flowers, including pros, cons, services, and more.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Teleflora | 1800Flowers |
| Price Range | $$-$$$ | $-$$ |
| Delivery Network | 100% local florists | Hybrid model |
| Flower Sources | Florist-arranged | Own facilities & florists |
| Delivery Availability | Better nationwide & international coverage | Good domestic same-day coverage |
| Flower Selection | Luxury roses, orchids, exotics | Budget everyday bouquets |
| Gift Selection | Mainly flowers | Flowers, plants, baskets, stuffed animals, gifts |
| Ordering Experience | Inspiring, high-end arrangements | Smooth experience, occasion guidance |
| Reviews | Higher overall satisfaction | Mixed reviews on quality |
| Best For | Florist-designed premium flowers | Affordable flowers & gifts |
Overview Of Teleflora
Founded in 1934, Teleflora is one of the oldest and largest flower wire services. They partner with over 16,000 member florists in North America to provide hand-arranged bouquets and flower delivery.
Key Teleflora Features:
- National same-day delivery network
- Flowers hand-arranged and delivered by local florists
- Offers premium flowers like roses, orchids, gerbera daisies
- Large selection of floral arrangements, plants, and gift baskets
- Holiday collections and seasonal designs
- International delivery to over 150 countries
Pros
- Longstanding reputation and experience in flower delivery
- Wide selection of floral designs for all occasions
- Florist-arranged bouquets often higher quality than assembling in warehouse
Cons
- Limited same-day delivery coverage in some areas
- Delivery issues can arise with reliance on third-party local florists
- Higher costs than DIY floral delivery services
Overview Of 1800Flowers
Founded in 1976, 1-800-Flowers pioneered the concept of selling flowers by phone and online. In addition to fresh florals, they offer plants, gourmet foods, and gifts.
Key 1800Flowers Features:
- National same-day local florist delivery
- Flowers shipped from own production facilities and local florists
- Roses, lilies, seasonal stems, plants, gift baskets
- Order by phone, website, or mobile app
- Specialty gifts like chocolates, stuffed animals, candles
Pros
- Excellent brand recognition and long history in flower delivery
- Offers both DIY fulfillment and local florist arranged options
- Order convenience through app and round-the-clock customer service
Cons
- Mixed reviews on flower quality and arrangements
- Inventory and production done through own facilities
- Higher pricing than some competitors
Comparing Florist Networks
A key difference between Teleflora and 1800Flowers lies in how they fulfill delivery orders.
Teleflora relies entirely on its network of partner florists. When you order Teleflora flowers for delivery, one of their local member florists will hand-arrange and deliver your bouquet. This generally produces fresher, higher quality flowers. However, delivery hiccups can occur if that particular florist runs into an issue.
1800Flowers uses a hybrid model. Some orders are produced at their own warehouses and shipping facilities in Illinois and California. For deliveries to metro areas, they have local florist partners who hand-arrange and deliver orders. If no local partner is available, your order may ship directly from an 1800Flowers production facility.
Delivery Options And Availability
Both services advertise nationwide delivery through local florists in the US. However, same-day delivery may not be available to certain remote zip codes without a partner florist nearby.
Teleflora offers same-day local florist delivery to most areas, but tends to have fewer rural coverage gaps than competitors. They also provide international delivery to over 150 countries.
1800Flowers provides same-day delivery across most of the contiguous US but may have limitations in remote areas. They also offer international delivery to about 100 countries.
Overall, Teleflora appears to edge out 1800Flowers when it comes to delivery network coverage and availability both nationally and worldwide. But for major metro areas, both provide ample same-day delivery options.
Also Read: Comparison Between UrbanStems And 1-800-Flowers.
Pricing And Fees
Flower delivery pricing can fluctuate based on bouquet style, destination, date, and other factors. In general:
- Teleflora: $$-$$$ range, delivery fees $15+
- 1800Flowers: $-$$ range, delivery fees $15+
Both services charge more around peak flower holidays like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. At regular prices, 1800Flowers tends to cost slightly less than Teleflora for comparable bouquets. But pricing can vary widely across floral styles.
Keep an eye out for sitewide sales, discounts, and promo codes which often run around 20% off or more. This helps make the higher-end Teleflora bouquets more affordable.
Flower And Gift Selection
When it comes to breadth of options, both services offer:
- Fresh cut flower arrangements – roses, lilies, tulips, carnations, daisies, etc.
- Plants – orchids, succulents, dish gardens, bonsai trees
- Gift baskets – fruit, chocolate, spa, gourmet treats
But Teleflora shines for higher-end luxury floral designs in upscale vases and containers. They have a huge selection of premium roses, orchids, exotic blooms, and lavish arrangements.
1800Flowers has an edge for affordable every day arrangements like classic dozen roses. Their gift section goes far beyond flowers too, with stuffed animals, candles, and home decor.
Overall, Teleflora excels for premium bouquets, while 1800Flowers offers better budget buys and non-floral gifts.
Ordering Experience
Teleflora and 1800Flowers both offer convenient order options:
- Website – Photos, product descriptions, and easy online checkout
- Mobile App – Browse bouquets and manage orders on your smartphone
- Phone – Call their toll-free 24/7 customer service line
Key differences:
- Teleflora website has a better selection of luxury, higher end arrangements
- 1800Flowers app and website include many non-flower gift options
- 1800Flowers provides more guidance in selections for occasions and relationships
For flower newbies or those seeking gifts beyond blooms, 1800Flowers offers a smoother ordering experience. Teleflora excels for browsing inspiring, upscale floral designs.
Reviews And Ratings
- Teleflora – Avg 4/5 stars based on 20,000+ reviews
- 1800Flowers – Avg 3.5/5 stars based on 90,000+ reviews
While both brands have legions of happy customers, Teleflora tends to score higher for overall satisfaction. Negative reviews for both often stem from flower freshness and arrangement issues – highlighting the importance of their delivery partners. Also watch this!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For premium, luxurious flower arrangements, Teleflora is hard to beat. For affordable everyday bouquets and non-floral gifts, 1-800-Flowers offers greater value and selection.
FTD edges out 1800Flowers for higher-end designs, while 1800Flowers is better for budget friendly options under $50. FTD also uses only local florists.
The top picks for quality and reliability are Teleflora, 1-800-Flowers, FTD, Bouqs, UrbanStems. Consider your price range, occasion, and delivery location.
Yes, 1800Flowers partners with local florists in most areas to hand-arrange and deliver orders for same-day delivery. But they may ship directly from their facilities if no local florist is available.
Also Read: Comparison Between ProFlowers And 1800flowers.
The Verdict
When sending fresh floral gifts, both Teleflora and 1800Flowers are excellent online flower delivery services with nationwide networks.
For flower lovers seeking stunning, high-end bouquets and arrangements, Teleflora is the best pick. Their focus on florist-designed creations means jaw-dropping roses, orchids, and exotic blooms crafted with care.
For reliable flower delivery on a budget, 1800Flowers is the winner. Their pricing is generally cheaper than Teleflora, and they offer great deals on classics like roses. Their extensive gift selection also goes far beyond blooms.
Whichever florist you choose, order early to ensure availability for specific delivery dates. This avoids any last minute inventory issues or delivery snags. Add your personal message for that special recipient too.
When it comes to delighting someone with fresh floral cheer or comfort, both Teleflora and 1800Flowers can help express what’s in your heart, even from miles away.